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‘Nakkeeran’ Gopal acquitted

ERODE: The Gobichettipalayam Fast Track Court on Tuesday acquitted ‘Nakkeeran’ Editor R. Gopal and two others, charged with aiding the abduction of Prof.Krishnasamy and three others by brigand Veerappan.

Judge P.Jeganathan said the case made out against Mr.Gopal, Sivasubramaniam and Jeeva Thangavel was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution case was that Mr.Gopal and the others had aided Veerappan in abducting Prof.Krishnasamy, ‘Netrikan’ Editor A.S. Mani, reporter Payumpuli and photographer Richard Mohan in May 1998. After Veerappan abducted the four, the Special Task Force launched a combing operation and freed them. The then Sub Inspector Raja Rajan, who was involved in the operation, lodged a complaint with the police. So did Prof.Krishnasamy.

Based on Prof.Krishnasamy’s complaint the police registered a case and charged Mr.Gopal, Mr.Sivasubramaniam and Mr.Thangavel with aiding the brigand.